Hundreds of apprenticeships lost in NT as major skills shortage looms

THE NT is staring down the barrel of a critical skills shortage as the coronavirus-induced recession forces hundreds of apprentices out of work, while new modelling reveals the training decline will last years.

THE NT is staring down the barrel of a critical skills shortage as the coronavirus-induced recession forces hundreds of apprentices out of work, while new modelling reveals the training decline will last years.

Coronavirus has forced more than 300 apprentices to be stood down, suspended or to have training cancelled in the NT, according to GTNT Group, the largest not-for-profit provider of employment and training services in the jurisdiction. And the number is growing.

According to GTNT chief executive Kathryn Stenson, the NT has seen a 48 per cent decline in apprentice commencements since the pandemic. Nationally the decline is 60 per cent.

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The coronavirus pandemic has struck apprentices hard, with nearly 300 out of work in the NT. Ben Vesty is a mature-age apprentice who has been kept busy by his employers, SH Build. Picture: Che Chorley

“Unfortunately, a lot of these Territorians don’t know if or when they will be able to resume in their apprenticeship pathway,” Ms Stenson said.

And new analysis by Victoria-based Mitchell Institute predicts the situation will only become more dire in coming years, estimating the number of apprenticeships and traineeships will fall 30 per cent by June 2023, equating to 130,000 fewer new apprentices nationwide.

By 2023 it is forecast there will be 50,000 fewer apprentices and trainees “in training”.

Ms Stenson said employers were unable to keep their apprentices due to the COVID-19-induced whack to their bottom line but also because companies are struggling to get enough work to justify keeping one on.

She said the NT Government had acted “quickly and efficiently” to support at-risk apprentices through targeted stimulus packages.

Moving forward, Ms Stenson suggested government look at promoting “pre-apprenticeship and pre-employment training” to provide valuable skills to those committed to resuming or beginning work.

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Darwin construction business SH Build has taken a financial hit due to COVID-19, says general manager Bec Hammet, but the company she runs with her husband has scraped through after winning a few government contracts.

Bucking the trend, SH Build kept on mature-age apprentice Ben Vesty and took on another apprentice who started work on Friday, knowing it would need them when business picked up.

The company pivoted to upskilling staff, despite the expense, during the lockdown.